The new BJP government in Uttar Pradesh, led by chief minister Yogi Adityanath, on Tuesday ordered the shifting Mukhtar Ansari back to the Agra Central Jail from Lucknow District Jail.
An order dated 28 March has reportedly confirmed the move.
Soon after the BJP came to power in the state, the UP Prisons Department on 16 March moved a proposal asking for Ansari's transfer back to Agra.
Ansari, who won the 2017 Assembly elections from the Mau seat on a BSP ticket, has been in jail since 2015 under various criminal sections.
While campaigning in Mau, Prime Minister Narendra Modi indirectly targeted the gangster-turned-politician and said, "How come all the heavy-weights smile while going to jail? It's because they get all the facilities in jail. Things will change after March 11."
Ansari was shifted to Lucknow District Jail last year after the announcement of the merger of his party, the Qaumi Ekta Dal (QED) and the then-ruling Samajwadi Party.
However, then Chief Minster Akhilesh Yadav rejected the merger and Ansari finally joined hands with Bahujan Samaj Party under Mayawati.
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